I went to CB's My War blog today only to find the name was changed to "Over and Out" and to see that everything's gone except a quote from Johnny Rotten:

Ever Get the Feeling You've Been Cheated?"-last words Johnny Rotten spitonstage at the Sex Pistolslast gig in 1978.

I'm shocked. CB's serving our country--risking his life in Iraq for our freedom-- and this talented writer has been gagged.

While a young soldier who only wanted to tell you "how it felt while it was happening" is stopped from having free speech, old liars spread filth about what they say happened when they served almost 40 years ago.

According to classified parts of the report by three Army generals on the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison, General Ricardo Sanchez is facing the fire for a series of orders he and his aides issued in Fall, 2003. It appears the memorandum, while not authorizing abuse, effectively opened the way, through the creation of "confused doctrine and policy" at Abu Ghraib last fall, for interrogation techniques that Pentagon investigators have characterized as abusive. Interestingly, the Fay report (as it is often called) has not addressed whether General Sanchez was authorized to designate detainees in Iraq as unlawful combatants, as the administration has treated prisoners in Afghanistan. General Sanchez and his aides have always maintained that the only approaches they authorized for use in Iraq were consistent with the Geneva Conventions. Somehow, I don't believe using dogs as an interrogation tool fits in too nicely with the spirit of the Geneva Conventions.

The Palm Beach Post editorial for today is indicative of the suspicion and likelihood that many Americans are not settled with the fact that the Pentagon has been left completely out of the Schlesinger and Fay reports for their accountability.

Excerpt:

....although it finds fault with Gen. Sanchez, it also stops well short of recommending discipline for him or anyone else very far up the command chain.

Although the Schlesinger panel purports to be "independent," Mr. Rumsfeld appointed its members. For a "friendly" report, it is surprisingly harsh toward him. Like other reports originating too close to the Pentagon, however, it is inadequate. Abu Ghraib still needs an independent investigation that can question everyone in the Pentagon, the CIA and in the private companies who took up the slack when the number of troops fell so short.

When lines of responsibility go to the top, yet no discipline is recommended above fairly low levels, the reports lead to one more conclusion: not enough accountability.

In the Guardian, David Hencke reports that a document is being drawn up by the chambers of Tony Blair's own wife Chrie Booth to impeach Blair. Blair will allegedly be impeached for "high crimes and misdemeanours" in the run up to the war against Iraq. This is an ancient parliamentary procedure and hasn't been used for 156 years.
A deputy high court judge who recently brought a case arguing that the Iraq war breached international law is one of the parties drawing up the document.
Another is a professor of human rights at the London School of Economics.
Adam Price, the Plaid Cymru MP, initiated the process.
Altogther, 12 MPs are involved in the impeachment.

In a season where the American president is in a struggle to keep his position for the next four years and hangs nearly every hope on the war he initiated in Iraq, this will not be support for any of his insistence that the war was particularly good for any human being's safety....American or otherwise.

We were taking bets a few days back as to when MSNBC would crank out a new "poll" or set of "facts" showing that Bush has gained ground against Kerry as a way to offset the Swift boat fiasco. So here it is, and what a piece of badly written propaganda it is, too! First the headline says: "Swift Boat Defense Costs Kerry: Bush Squeaks into the Lead..." But if you read this rambling, barely coherent piece, you will find aboiut 2/3 thru that Kerry has, in fact not lost ground to Bush in polls! The headline, i.e., is false. In fact, if you check out the poll right on the same page as the article, you will discover that Bush trails Kerry 41% to 57%. And then, the remainder of the article is a gushing groupie puff piece on Cheney. This is journalism?

Jude Says..

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About Me

Iddybud is a descendant of American patriots, membership to DAR pending, a descendant of a family member who lost another dubious American Presidential election in 1876, so you might understand why she took Selection 2000 to heart.

desiderata - by max ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
Max Ehrmann c.1920